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Lego Robotic Resources
Robots are everywhere, yeah! Many companies see the value in building robots for the home. iRobot is building hobby robots, vacuum robots, gutter cleaning robots and military robots. My favorite robot is the Lego Mindstorms NXT robot and it is winning a lot of awards. Version 2.0 of the NXT robot was released in August and I just started experimenting with it.
There is a nice collection of visual presentations available at ortop.org on the NXT robot and programming environment. Be sure to stop by the NXT STEP blog and the NXTasy web site for the latest information on the NXT robot. These are two great sites that can be used to keep up with NXT news and information. Of course I need to keep my normal Lego building skills up to date. Check out my latest creations over at mocpages.com.
FLL teams check out TechBrick for 2009 competition resources.
First Lego League Books from Amazon
Its that time again!
First LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/23/2009) 
My Most Recent Creations
These are a selection of my recent creations which I have built based upon my ideas but I also like to build projects listed on other blogs to get new ideas on how to build with Legos. NXTPrograms has a wide variety of projects at different building levels as well as the associated code.
NXT conversion of Lego NXT Exoforce Devastator. 1 motor to steer. 1 motor to dri...
Lego Mindstorms NXT Trebuchet Robot
Motor design from nxtprograms.com, body and sensor design my own. 3 motors to dr...
This is my conversion of the Lego Nitro Muscle car to be controlled by the NXT. ...
Lego Off Roader with NXT and Mindsensors compass module.
My YouTube vids
Best NXT site Voting (Plexo)
Which site do you find most useful?
Many of these sites provide building instructions as well as code samples. I like to learn new techniques by building projects others have created.
NXT Programs - Fun Projects for your LEGO Mindstorms NXT
Fun projects for your LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT at nxtpr more...2 points
The NXT STEP - LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Blog
A very useful NXT blog.1 point
nxtasy.org | Building a LEGO Mindstorms NXT Community Brick by Brick
Another useful NXT Blog which has regular contests more...1 point
MADRobotics
MADRobotics is a site where NXT enthusiasts can fi more...1 point
Brick Labs — The Source for LEGO Robotics and Educational Materials
LEGO Mindstorms and Hobby Robotics blog1 point
LEGO.com MINDSTORMS NXTLOG
This is the place for you share and archive your L more...0 points
NXTCentral - Lego NXT Mindstorms Projects, Photos and News
Lego Technic and NXT Mindstorms Information, Proje more...0 points
Tinkernology
New NXT Blog (Fall 2009)0 points
Robot Education
How to integrate teaching about robots
- After school programs, camps, parties
- Search the internet and you will see the growing popularity of robotic after school programs, summer camps and you can even hire groups for robotic birthday parties. Bits Bytes & Bots is a popular destination for kids in Colorado.
- Society of Robots
- Check out the information available from the Society of Robots if you are new to robotics. The site has good information on robotics and robtic concepts.
Lego Mindstorms NXT Class Lessons/Projects/Challenges
Ideas on NXT curriculum.
People are starting to publish free information for educators to help provide instructions on the NXT platform.My Lego Dragster Challenge Idea:
A touch sensor must be used to initiate the burn out sequence. The dragster must re-stage itself behind the black line with out any help. Failure to stage is a disqualification. The dragsters will respond to a voice command to start the race. First to the finish line, with out loosing parts is the winner. A black line can mark the finish line and sensors must detect it to stop the robot. Students can use up to 3 motors. Students choose their gear ratios and wheels. Only Lego parts allowed.
Robot Competitions
Test your skills!
- FIRST Competition
- Competition for High School students. Many engineers from the company I work for help out with this competition. FIRST also has a FIRST LEGO League for ages 9 to 14.
- Robofest
- Look for a competition in your area.
- Darpa Grand Challenge
- What could be better than automating a car? The Darpa grand challenge has been run for a couple of years and the competition is getting stronger.
Lego Mindstorms NXT
The NXT robot is a nice upgrade to the previous Mindstorms RCX product. The kit contains new sensors that were not previously available, for example an ultra-sonic sensor, a sound sensor and a light sensor that can detect color. The New motors also integrate rotational information within the motor where before a separate rotation sensor was required.The programming interface is nice to work with and I like the added capabilities. I just started training some Elementary schools students on this platform and it will be interesting to see how quickly they learn to build and program this robot.
Nxt on Amazon
LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)
Amazon Price: $271.97 (as of 11/23/2009)
Lego Mindstorms RSS Feed
Keep up to date with new messages
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe NXT Step Lego Mindstorms NXT RSS Feed
The website associated with this blog has very useful links to other Minstorms NXT sites.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byLego Mindstorms Sensors, Parts and Pieces
- Lego Education Store
- Legos are used to teach a wide range of science topics. The lego store is a great place to pick up additional parts for your mindstorm robot.
- MindSensors
- Expand the capabilities of your NXT by using new components from MindSensors. I have started doing some Beta product testing for MindSensors and one of their soon to be released products allows me to use RCX sensors on the NXT.
- Third Party Expansion Parts by HiTechnic
- Expand the capability of your Mindstorm robot by adding sensors which Lego does not produce. Need to know what direction your robot is heading? Pick up a Magnetic Compass sensor. HiTechnic produces a wide variety of components to improve the capabilities of your robot.
Mindstorms NXT Books
The Unofficial Lego Mindstorms NXT Inventor's Guide
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/23/2009)
LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT One-Kit Wonders: Ten Inventions to Spark Your Imagination
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/23/2009)
The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/23/2009)
LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide (Technology in Action)
Amazon Price: $13.02 (as of 11/23/2009)
The Lego Mindstorms NXT Zoo! An Unofficial, Kid-Friendly Guide to Building Robotic Animals with the Lego Mindstorms NXT
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/23/2009)
Can Legos be Organized?
It can be done.
Stanley makes some great products which help to keep my Legos organized. The organizers have removable bins that simplifying the building process. The thin unit has 25 shallow bins and the large unit has 10 deep bins. I currently use 2of the 25 compartment and 5 of the 10 compartment units to organize my NXT and RCX MindStorms parts. Amazon Carries these Organizers
Stanley Consumer Storage 014725R 25-Removable Compartment Professional Organizer
I use this one for the small connector pieces.
Amazon Price: $18.90 (as of 11/23/2009)
Stanley Consumer Storage 014708R 8-Compartment Deep Professional Organizer
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/23/2009)
Batteries and chargers from Amazon
Sony 2500 mAh AA Rechargeable Nimh Batteries, 4-pack
Amazon Price: $13.19 (as of 11/23/2009)
SANYO eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries
Amazon Price: $12.09 (as of 11/23/2009)
La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger
This is the new one and has the capability to charge, discharge then charge, refresh old rechargeable batteries as well as test them. This is a cool product that helps us know the state of our most important robot asset, power.
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/23/2009)
Robot Magazines
- ROBOT Magazine
- I just started subscribing to this new magazine and enjoy the articles provided.
- Servo Magazine
- Servo Magazine is another publication which covers robotics.
- Brick Journal
- The Brick Journal just stated to publish their material in print form and you can subscribe to this great Lego resource.
Robot Advice
- Robot Advice
- Given the expense of robots, check online reviews before making a purchase.
Applied Robotics
Robotic solutions
- Bombot, protecting Soldiers
- Innovative Response Technologies develops the Bombot. A robotic solution which can save the lives of our soldiers.
- DirtDog, iCreate,Roomba and Scooba
- I have started to save for a Roomba robotic vacuum to help keep the house tidy. The Scooba was recently released to take care of floors. The Dirt-Dog is a sweeping robot for your garage or other tough jobs. The iCreate robot has been released for those hobbyists wanting to experiment.
When will they make one to shovel snow off of the sidewalk? - Husqvarna Lawnmower
- Lawn mowers seem to be the latest robotic creations to help around the house.
Be Prepared in Case We Get Good at Building Artificial Intelligent Robots
Remember Terminator 2?
![How to Survive a Robot Uprising [UNABRIDGED]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N2FNECVPL._SL75_.jpg)
How to Survive a Robot Uprising [UNABRIDGED]
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/23/2009)
I, Robot
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/23/2009)
Vex Lego Hybrid
Combine the best of both robots.
The metal pieces that come with the Vex kit are a bit limited, and since I started with Lego, I prefer the solutions I have used in the past. The teeth of the Vex gears match Lego gears. For the picture next to the text, I took a flat lego piece, lined up the Vex and Lego turntable gears then I drilled holes in the lego flat piece to match up with the Vex metal pieces. I then completed the front steering by adding additional Lego pieces to add support for the front axel. In addition to the turntable gear, Lego even has slip differential gear kits, gears which allow for better robot drive behavior. Look for robots in Science Fiction Movies
I love Netflix. No more late fees!
- 001- Transformers
- 002- The Golden Compass
- 003- War of the Worlds
- 004- I, Robot
- 005- Fantastic Four
- Try Netflix free for 14 days
More of My Robot Configurations
A NXT robot to pick up an egg and run an obstacle course which includes holes, large...
Reader Feedback
Please let me know what you think of this lens.
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- jemisec1 jemisec1 Nov 10, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
- This is great. It won't be long soon robots won't be here for entertainment only. Who knows, maybe those sci-fi stories featuring robots in the military would come true. Do check out a hobby of mine as well, I'm into photography and other geeky stuff: http://www.squidoo.com/Best-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review
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- stephen001 stephen001 Sep 18, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
- Great lens. 5* for great content and favorited for amazing creativity. I have recently made a lens on latest inventions . May I request you to plz check it out and review it.
-
Reply
- stephen001 stephen001 Sep 18, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
- Great lens. 5* for great content and favorited for amazing creativity. I have recently made a lens on latest inventions . May I request you to plz check it out and review it.
-
Reply
- stephen001 stephen001 Sep 18, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
- Great lens. 5* for great content and favorited for amazing creativity. I have recently made a lens on latest inventions . May I request you to plz check it out and review it.
-
Reply
- moneygames moneygames Jul 30, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
- A lot of useful info! Nice lens
May you visit my lens, it is other hobby kind.
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/workshop/wow-guide-alchemy
From me *****
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eBay mindstorm products
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Conclusion
Please let me know if you would like additional resources placed on this lens which would make it more valuable. If you have time, build your own Robotics lens and share your knowledge.Visit my Lensography for a look at other lenses I have contributed to the Squidoo community.
Thanks for your time,
--Todd
by Edmands
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